Many of the Muslim women who were pulled in were carrying explosives, we can reveal.

Other radicals as young as 17 had bomb materials stashed in their homes across the country.

The operation started when a dozen women in the London and Greater Manchester areas were picked up in security sweeps but allowed to go free.

They were put under surveillance and led the spooks to more than 30 terror group leaders.

But it is feared there are at least 20 of the Black Widow bombers still at large and ready to carry out their deadly missions.

A senior security source said: “The terrorists rely on a woman in a black flowing dress not being stopped. They can’t be searched easily because of their strict rules and it’s hard to see what they are hiding under their robes.

“A lot of people would think twice about searching them for fear of offending religious rules or being accused of sexual harassment or indecency.

Hence, we have idiots in our government, like Obama and Janet Napolitano, who won’t target Muslims for fear of offending them, yet groping the crotches of little Christian girls just to make a show of some semblance of public safety is somehow not considered offensive to these idiots.

“We have broken up a number of attacks with women involved. This is not anti-Muslim, it is a fact that women are being used as bombers and so they have to be stopped.

“By following them and seeing who they met and who these people associated with, we were led to people higher up the chain, the explosives handlers and Mr Bigs.”

But spy chiefs believe there are even more women being recruited by male relatives to take their places.

A senior security source has revealed that in the past year between 50 and 60 attacks have been averted after spies infiltrated Muslim terror cells.

It is estimated there are 2,200 people under surveillance in this country, including girls and women.

They are usually recruited by fathers or brothers as many are restricted from talking to men outside the family.

This story appeared as an exclusive in the Daily Star. I have seen no confirmation of it elsewhere. IS IT TRUE ? If true it is serious. Are wraps being kept on it by official sources for security reasons ? Or is it a case of covering up for fear of offending and radicalising Muslims ? It all seems very mysterious ???????